Update

It feels good to sit down to type a moment...

I have a new landmark book in my life, and I know it is in several of my student's lives...it' called Out of My Mind by Susan Draper (and now I am super interested in reading more of her books). It is about a young girl, Melody, who is trapped in her inability to communicate, or use her body because she is severely disabled by Cerebral Palsy. I am not going to tell you details because I really want you to read it. I will, however, tell you the powerful themes that impacted our reading community and reduced us to tears...the power of parents in kids' beliefs about their abilities, beliefs about disabilities and how society treats them, the power of the mind, the value of family over any other dream we may have, the sacrifices we make for each other, peer relationships and values...I could go on and on. The themes are sophisticated, yet the power of the conversations we had blew me away.

Here is my thought today. I know that book is not a light one. However, my students BEGGED me to keep reading, and we all grew from reading it. The amazing way it took us into someone else's experience...made us think outside ourselves...made us better people. I don't think I thought about things like that in third grade...but maybe I should have. Maybe opening the world to these kids though books like these will make them more empathetic...and make this world a better place.

So the TAKS is over...

Standardized tests...hate 'em or just take 'em...whatever your opinion, they are a part of education.

I don't make it a focus of the year, nor do I mention it until about a month before. All our attention all year long is how to become a better reader and writer, so it all works just fine. About a month before, we start learning test FORM. I just teach how to look at questions and figure out what they are asking, and the kids do the rest. Actually, they are surprised at how well they do on multiple choice format...they don't see it in my room any time prior to that.

I am looking forward to getting their scores -- I am positive they ROCKED it!

Hmm...Best laid plans...

sometimes get crowded out by a full time job, four kids, spring baseball, and a traveling husband.

But there have been exciting things rolling, and I am planning for one of the BEST upcoming years ever. My dream, my passion, my hopes professionally look like they are within grasp.

Next year, I am endeavoring with two other teachers to create a multiage, project based learning cohort. The kids would stay for second, third, and fourth grade...let me tell you!!!!

I can't wait! I am dancing at the idea of being able to form a family with these kids, learning to discourse, inquire, dwell, investigate, and collaborate.

There is a lot of planning going on right now, which is why I am spending my free moments reading, reading, reading. And am I motivated? YOU BET!

Take this to the kid level. Kids have a desire/interest/passion...we say yes to being outside the box and that THEY can do it...do you think they will start researching and reading -- oh yea!

We have been doing a little of that in the past two weeks. The kids studied the book, Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park. She purposely wrote the book to send a message to kids based on some true life statistics that motivated her.

The premise of the book is the death of a twelve year old in a bike accident. All due to his choice NOT to wear a helmet. It is told from the perspective of his older sister, an eighth grader...so she doesn't mince words. Feelings are raw, situations heart wrenching.

We talked about everything from the grieving process to parent guilt/survivor guilt...and so much more. They developed a deep empathy for the characters, and were left with deep longings to discuss...

When we finished, we talked about determining one theme that they wanted to take to project form. They decided on bike/helmet safety.

I did not give parameters...I let them choose groups...some chose posters, some gravitated towards powerpoint presentations. All decided an audience, they had to keep content and language appropriate for that level. They emailed and made appointments with the various people/classrooms.

Did I have to motivate them to read and find out what they needed to know - nope. They were on fire!

It was neat too, to see the kids who did something different -- other kids were interested -- Can you teach me? Can you show me how you did...? Where did you find that information?

SO...I can't wait. Let the adventure begin!

Real Reading

amidst the projects, the posters, the logs...

I have been a little frustrated lately. I know so many powerful things are happening in the minds of my classroom. In our character studies, our author studies, finding meaningful themes, author's purposes and content in our books...

We're proving our thinking with text, "arguing" with each other about character motives, and really digging deep.

But there are some falling off the passion of real reading.

My sons included.

Overwhelmed by how responding to literature happens...if you know what I mean. Not that I don't see the merit in research, reports, and book shares...it's just that, well, maybe it is extreme in our family because there are three out of four doing them, but I am not sure.

Maybe I am too "easy" in my teaching in that I don't require projects done at home monthly.

But my class knows. It is the THINKING I want to hear.

Tomorrow I am going to put some statements up on a big sign in my room. They are from Lucy Calkin's book, The Art of Teaching Reading. I always find amazing inspiration in that book when I need it.

Here are the statements: What are you thinking? What did you notice? Tell me more. Give me an example. YOUR RESPONSES ARE THE IMPORTANT STUFF.


Why do I want that? Because it's true. "Reading is merely ink on the page until a reader breathes life into them." Rosenblatt


Rigor is more with less. I know what my kids are doing in my classroom. With each carefully chosen book and lesson, they are learning the life of a reader. They are thinking and talking about books. Maybe not traditionally, but they are engaging in reading. I guess I don't need them to have another grade in the gradebook to show me.

Getting Kids to Connect MEANINGFULLY with their Characters

I apologize for the, well, the long time off. It's just not been easy to get a moment with my computer without someone interrupting.

But a lot has been going on in my mind to share with you.

A really fun thing - the Kindle...I like the convenience, however, I still prefer dog earring my pages, putting post its where I want to share something with someone, and the feel of going through the book, in my hands.  BUT very easy to take everywhere and pull out. My boys fight for it, so that's good...

Also, I have been working with my kids to go deeper in their thinking. We talk a lot about how kids have to have connections with their book, but I have been pushing MEANINGFUL connections. Not just, "I have a bike too," but "I know how that feels in my body when I am riding my bike. I love the free feeling in my stomach, the way my legs are working hard, and how my breath gets fast with my heart. I like going fast, and feeling light."

So many books have characters with experiences our kids haven't ever had...so how do they connect? ON AN EMOTIONAL LEVEL. This takes thought, however. You have to know HOW your character is feeling. Examine thoughts, words, and actions. Find character traits. Then ask them to relate. Ask them how it feels in their bodies when they feel that way. What do they do when they feel like that? Have them think of an example of a time they felt that way.

For example, in a book we were reading, Jin Woo, by Eve Bunting, the character is 4 - his parents have adopted a baby from Korea, and he relates the story of how he goes from one feeling to another in this process. The kids easily identified he had a "change of heart" through the course of the story, but I pushed them harder.

I had them write down three character traits of their choice, and next to the traits, I had them write examples from the text as proof of it. Then I gave them an example of how to deepen the connection.

"I know that you all haven't gone through exactly David's (main character) experience, but I saw in the story that he was WORRIED. I saw that when he talked about his stomach hurting when they got the letter that Jin Woo was coming. I also saw it when he watched mom and dad in the nursery and how they were spending so much time preparing the room and fussing over the baby. He mentions a few times how he is scared mom and dad won't have time for him.

I have felt worried too! Not about a new baby brother, but my example is really happening today. Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist and I have to get a root canal. I know those are really painful, and I am so worried about it. My stomach is knotted up, it keeps popping up into my thoughts, and I don't feel like eating. So I can really connect to that feeling with David of worry."

I tell them that it is so important to care about your character and to try and relate on a HUMAN level. Even fantasy stories. None of us have been to Hogwarts, but we can feel with Harry when he feels scared. We all know that feeling.

Wondering why your child doesn't enjoy and engage with reading? It may be that they are not connecting with their character.

A Few Recommendations

We have been reading several books in preparation for the upcoming holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. I really enjoy these for the depth of conversation and thinking that they promote.

First, I love White Socks Only by Evelyn Coleman. Kids really sense the bravery in the little girl in the story, and how she inspires adults to stand up for what is right.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodsen is another wonderful book, using the symbolism of a fence running through town as a vivid example of the separation between whites and blacks in the time.

Also, My Brother Martin by Christine King Ferris is a great biography written from the point of view of MLK Jr's sister. The kids see King in his childhood, and learn through story form why he decided to dedicate his life to what is right.

Finally, The Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson shares a march from the eyes of a child.

An inspirational book

Has it been since December since I posted? Ooo, that's bad. I have been so caught up in cleaning my house after replacing 75% of the downstairs tile (MESSY, but they are beautiful!), keeping holiday guests busy, and now resuming "normal" life.

All this and our internet at home is hit or miss (very frustrating).

I read cover to cover a book that I feel I could have written myself (probably not as eloquently). It is called The Book Whisperer By Donalyn Miller - she teaches here in Texas, and I have read her blog from time to time.

She believes, pretty much lock and step, what I do. Give kids time to authentically read. Model reading. Be  excited about reading. Enthuse them, don't worksheet them.

My favorite quote, however, comes from Mark Twain. I am going to share it with a few of my students tomorrow and get their feedback on what it means.

"He who does not read books is no more than the man who can't."

WOW. That hits right between the eyes.

It's wasted talent not to pick up a book.

In that case, let's read.

Getting a Kindle...

for Matt. He carries about 8 books in his backpack, and, as a result, gets backaches - not to mention ruins every backpack in about a month or two.

I am going to let him experiment with reading electronically, and, in the process, I will too. Who knows? I may like it!

Here's the deal, however.

Matt loves to read already - anything he can get his hands on.

I was having a discussion with a fellow educator this week, and he was asking me why I don't recommend that kids read electronically, if that's what it takes to get them reading.  I firmly believe that the brain has specific neurons and development that goes along with reading books. If you don't grow those neural passages, it changes the entire make up/structure of the brain.

Now that is something to think about. Kids who are learning through technology, who have other ways of learning are DIFFERENT in their brain structure than us (those of us who learned on a chalkboard, anyway).

I don't want to hinder technology development, because, believe me, I am grateful for all the advancements we have made -- I have had four babies, and every improvement made my life amazingly easier!

I am not saying we have to do things "the old fashioned way" - but I do believe that reading (and language) is important in creating a brain that learns...period.

So, I am getting him a Kindle, but he had to show me he has mastered the basics, first.

Last minute ideas from me??? Books of course!

If you are still clamoring at the last minute to get all those gifts for your kids...consider books!

Here's my protocol: I buy a book I think I want them to try (it may be one we read together) and a gift card to a bookstore with the promise that I will take them while on vacation.

The giftcard gives them the opportunity to choose a book themselves, and the preselected books give me the opportunity to expose them to genres and text they may not necessarily consider for themselves.

Hopefully, you have a few wonderful books wrapped and under the tree...

Merry Christmas!

Surround yourself with readers...

As I was wonderfully encouraged by a friend of mine to try a new workout, I thought about how motivating it was to have her with me...ok, so she physically drove me there too, and pedaled right next to me.

She made it fun, and painless! I thought about how it has always been others who have really pushed me to be better, to do things I know I should, and who follow up with me and ask when I am going to do it again.

That's what we need when it comes to reading. You and your child may need a buddy...maybe they read the same book and you compare notes...or maybe you both keep a reading chart of books read or time read.

It will be more fun, and you will be held accountable.

I think for kids, it will begin their journey knowing reading is a part of a greater community and that it connects us to others...and you might too!

Letter and Word Hunts

Today Nick and I shared the newspaper again, and this time we did some letter hunting. We alternated between my pointing to a letter and him telling me what it is and my asking him to find a letter and him pointing to it. After he said the letter name, he always added something he knew that starts with that letter.

Once he's older, I will have him look for sight words - then more complex words. In second grade and early third, I have my kids hunt for certain kinds of words - adjectives, verbs, nouns -- and different kinds of sentences: interrogatory (?), exclamatory (!), and declarative (.).

Play around - give them highlighters, gel pens - have them cut them out...be creative.

Three more days...and I have one with a stomach bug, one with an ear infection, one with a bad sore throat, one with runny nose, and my fingers crossed that it doesn't get any worse!

Imitation is the Greatest Form of Flattery

Involves a lot more than books. I noticed my son Nick (2) grabbing his portion of the newspaper this morning as we sat together at the breakfast table. First it was the Toys R Us ads, then the comics. As I continued my section, I noticed him looking over at me and imitating my reading habits. He laid out the paper exactly like me, and held his sippy cup just like I held my cup of coffee.

My point is, I wasn't actively trying to teach him anything about reading. I was just doing it.

I know life is busy for everyone, but if you want your kids to read, you need to lead by example.

Finding a happy place...and reading

Today I took my boys to Bookpeople...they expected to hit the aisles, load up my arms, and head on to the next destination...

Not so fast, partners.

Instead, we went straight to the cafe, claimed a table, and spent the next hour reading our new books and sipping hot chocolate.

They were a bit taken aback, and unmotivated at first. But after about 15 minutes, they realized I wasn't budging, and I was reading, so they dug into their new books.

We got a couple really good ones. Matt has been hooked on a new sports writer, Tim Green. He's devouring the series. He got an autographed book.

Sam opted for the next Alvin Ho, which I read a bit tonight. I like it...for reasons that I can see myself teaching with it. There are details and references to things that might slip over kids' heads...but if they catch it and get it, they will laugh hysterically. I already have two students in mind for this book. Good for boys, but girls too.

Ben picked two. One, called Kickers, he got into immediately. It's about a group of kids who play soccer, and the first book revolves around bossiness and being a "ball hog" and how that can be resolved. Good for kids playing sports. Second, he grabbed a book out of my hand: "Frankie Pickle" a good easy read balanced with graphic novel. It talks about a boy who is a "possum scout" entering his car in the Pinerun Derby -- as a cub scout, Ben was all over relating to that one.

Me? Oh, I was reading Cuthbert Soup's second book, "Another Whole Nother Story." Very subtle humor, very good writing. I have several students who have finished the first book, so I had to get the sequel for them.

So, where have I been? Up to my eyeballs in school, grades, then the holiday planning...not to mention our internet went out for two weeks...yep, two weeks.

I am back. Hopefully on a daily basis. I would love questions, situations where you may need advice...

Oh, and by the way, less than 5 shopping days left!

Resistance to do anything but the bare minimum...

...that's my son Sam right now. He's only willing to do what he HAS to do, especially when it comes to reading.

So what am I doing? Well, I am giving him a few weeks to do just that -- do only his 15-20 minutes of homework reading per night -- and then I am going to switch things up on him.

It is perfectly timed with Christmas break, where he will insist he doesn't NEED to read since he doesn't have homework.

I am going to plan a special trip to the bookstore with him...and I am also going to tap into his passion - computers and Legos. He is going to read about Legos by way of the "Visual Dictionary" books and then he will have the chance to go to the Lego store and explain to me what he read before getting a new set (under 40 dollars).

I am not going to force, or coerce. I am going to approach it peacefully, calmly, and sneakily...like coaxing a cat.

That's what works with him.

Sure, I could get upset, push, or just hand him books, but that isn't Sam's style...

Get to know your child's "style" -- how they need to be approached. That's the key to getting more.

A fun way to preview vocabulary and get them to write!

When you are reading with your child, look ahead. Just a few pages. Pick about 6-8 words that are either words they might not know (vocabulary) or interesting words. Write them on the top of a piece of paper.

Tell your child they are going to do "Splash" - named for the splash of words they get - review the words with them - define, give examples...and then have them use those words in a story - you can have them write or tell it to you. Or make up a story together if you have a reluctant writer.

Why would we do that out of context? Because it's different than simply telling them the meaning along the way. They will do different processing. They will think of the meanings as they use it in their own made up story (the stories can be ridiculous, serious, fiction or non - they choose).  Later, when they read their book, guess what words are going to pop out at them?

Guess where they can retrieve that information? From the context of their story!

I love this strategy because it gets the vocabulary, gets them reading, and writing is thrown into the mix!

You know that nagging feeling...

when you feel like you should be more consistent doing something, yet...

I have got to carve out time to blog more. I think I need time. Time to actually blog, and also time to be inspired.

Thanksgiving was a teaser - it was so nice to have time to get done what I have been putting off. Necessary things that don't get done when you work full time and have four kids.

But I am making some goals for myself to restore myself - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

A few thoughts - in no order -

Go to the bookstore, drink coffee, and let the books be the priority - not the teaching, not the blog - I need to nurture the reader in me.

Hit the gym for yoga, maybe a massage, and a meeting with the personal trainer - to revitalize me in body.

Find a church home - and go. Enough said.

Take each kid for a "date" solo - give them the attention they so need...

Take my hubby for a date. Again, enough said.

Think about what your kids may need too. It's been a long haul since August, and they need the break and revitalizing as much as adults.

Keep in mind that we will need our batteries recharged as we return in January!

No excuses

I took a little hiatus...wonderful holidays, great memories made.

Now the work. Your kids will probably be going through some mid-year testing soon - if not before Christmas, right after.

My students don't see many worksheet/fill in the bubble things. So it is my job to prepare them for what is to come.

My philosophy is to teach them how to read - how to summarize, analyze characters, and infer - with REAL TEXT...and then teach them how that looks on tests.

It's much better that way. I can't tell you how many kids I have seen over the years laden with packet after packet of test prep. They get so drilled, they don't even enjoy reading anymore. It's all about performance.

And it is about performance, but they WILL perform BEAUTIFULLY if they understand how to naturally do the work of reading.

Teaching them how to read questions and figure out the type of question it is is easy, once they know how to produce the thinking on their own with wonderful books.

My two cents today. My kids took a benchmark.

Reading Aloud is always essential...

Reading aloud to kids is as important all through life as it was when they were toddlers. They learn so much listening to the inflection and expression in your voice - and they are able to comprehend stories without the burden of decoding.

Reading aloud to your child should not be the way you read exclusively. Even now, with Nick at two, I have him read me a book each night. He tells me in his babble about the pictures, and whatnot I don't understand. As he does, I nod my head and confirm with words, "Yes, that is a bulldozer. I see how it pushes the dirt," or whatever is on the page. He usually acts things out or makes noises like the item.

One time we were reading an ABC book and he saw a balloon. Immediately, he stood on his bed, pointed towards the ceiling and shouted, "Up in the sky!" I remembered that we had "lost" a balloon to the sky before...and he remembered looking up and watching it go. That is connecting for him - schema - using what he knows from his prior knowledge/experience to comprehend what he is reading.

Wow. Long tangent. My point is to read out loud to them, but balance that with them reading to you aloud and them reading alone silently. BALANCE.

We are reading Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff. It is a Texas Bluebonnet Nominee, and I know that most of my kids wouldn't pick it up on their own. But since we have been reading, they have been asking for other books to read either by the same author, or similar in content.

That's the magic - you can introduce and get them excited simply by sharing it with them. Yes, I know you are busy - but make the time to keep reading aloud.

I forgot - it's officially been a year in Austin

This past week marked one full year here in Circle C, Austin. So much has happened in a year...

and I feel like it is like New Years in that I need to reflect and set some new goals.  When we came last Fall, I was home with Nick for the year...very different goals for my time and energy.

Now with teaching full time again, and boys that are older and more independent, it is time to push myself in new ways.

Reflection is the key. Looking where I have been, what's gone on...looking for patterns, even ruts.

I know myself. I need times to do that. If I don't, I am simply functioning day to day.

One goal I have is to grow this blog. How? I don't know yet. I do know that many people have read this the past year, and I want each and every one to walk away from the computer feeling positive about reading. Maybe even motivated.

So this weekend is a long one, and Wednesday I plan on taking time in between cooking and cleaning to sit back, get a cup of coffee, and journal about where I want this year to go.

Seriously? It's Sunday Night?

Wow. Has it been since Thursday? Yep. That's because my life has gone that quickly this week.

And now the holidays begin. It's not going to get much slower around here.

So I am in need of prioritization. Obviously, blogging has gone by the wayside in that more has been pressing on the immediate, needs-my-attention front.

This past few weeks has been emotional. One of Sam's teachers presented me with a question. Had we ever considered that he may have ADD? Yes, we had, but that had been ruled out - tests had shown more of a language processing issue in the past. But then I got to thinking...and analyzing, and, well, those of you who have gone down this road can relate.

I have so many thoughts: would this help him? does he need meds? what would the meds do? he has many characteristics, and maybe that is what is hindering him with expressive/receptive speech. Maybe there are lots of things running around up there and he can't grab a thought to get out.

We have agreed to screen him, and talk to the pediatrician. Chances are we will be referred to a neurologist.

All this to say that my mind has been preoccupied with him.

I say this too, to show you that my family struggles in their own ways, and I don't have a handle on everything.

I would like to...but that's not realistic.

So, two days till vacation...a well deserved break all around.